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Interviewer: Setting the tone from the very first day of school is the most important thing you can do as a teacher. The first thing that everyone needs to understand is that you are in charge of your classroom. The very best teachers—when you walk into their classroom—seems like the kids are totally in charge. They’re doing everything they wanna do all the time. That’s been set up by the teacher from the very first day of school.
Okay. Can I have your attention, please?
You have to set the tone before any child ever walks into your classroom.
Welcome to the first day of Algebra I. When you walk into the room, you need to do so quietly and without talking. I’ll say that one more time. Quietly and without talking.
When a kid walks into your classroom, they have to know what you expect, what you need them to do, and they need to be able to do it. Your expectations are what you allow them to do—not what you say, but what you allow them to do, so if you say, “Walk into the classroom quietly,” and they walk into the classroom and they’re quietly talking to each other, that’s what you expect them to do. Don’t go back later on and think, man, I wish they came in the classroom without talking at all. You didn’t expect that of them from the very first day of school.
If I see someone talking—even a whisper, even a giggle—we’re gonna stop, we’re gonna come back out, and we’re gonna practice it and try it again.
I’m telling them fro the start, and then I’m holding them to that. If they aren’t gonna do what I ask them to do, we’re going back out and we’re practicing, and we’re gonna do it over and over and over. I have had classes where I had to do it 15 times on the first day until they realized what my expectations were. Once they realized what they were, now I only have to do it twice or three times the next day, and then hopefully after that, we can only do it once.
Okay. When you walk through this door, it’s time to work. All right. Let’s make it happen.
When they walk in this classroom, it’s time to work.
Clap once. Clap once. Clap once.
We can goof around sometimes. We can have fun, but we’re gonna stop it whenever the teacher wants us to, and we’re gonna get back to work.
Clap twice. Simple as that. Let’s get to work.
But the key is get ‘em in, get ‘em in quickly, and set the expectation before the first class ever starts.
Welcome to the first day of Algebra I.
[End of audio]
247 Comments
Angel Love Apr 3, 2024 7:56am
What is the relationship between tone and expectations?
The relationship between tone and expectations is that they both contribute to interpersonal interactions and communication. The tone focuses on the emotion and attitude used while communicating. The expectations affect how students will interpret and respond to information. Both tone and expectations play a critical role in classroom management.
2. Mr. Romagnolo says, "Your expectations are what you allow them to do, not what you say." How could you apply this distinction in your own class?
I can apply the distinction to my class by setting expectations on the first day of school. Before the students enter the classroom talk with them. Be very clear on what is expected.
3. What could you do if a positive tone wasn't set on the first day?
Setting the tone for the first day of school is vital. On the first day of school, I would have the students participate in icebreakers. Once everyone cracks the ice a little, I would set clear expectations in the classroom. I would use positive reinforcement and be flexible. My goal for the first day is to create a positive learning environment.
Gabrielle Spence Jan 28, 2024 5:27pm
1. The relationship between tone and expectations is that you set the tone with the words you say to your students, but the expectation is what you allow them to do. I can tell them one thing, but allow the opposite. My words and actions must match.
2. I understand that it is essential to set the tone the very first day, and as a first year teacher, I wish I had watched this video and others like it beforehand. As the confidence in myself grew and I built relationships with my students and began to see certain behaviors, I have noticed that there are expectations I have that I now need to reinforce. I feel that even though there are some things I am now expecting from there were not set in stone the first day, I can do exactly as the teacher in this video did. I can explain to my students what I have been noticing, ask them what they feel we can do better, and we practice over and over until we get it right. My class is struggling with transitioning from one task to another appropriately.
3. If a positive tone was not set the first day, I could have a discussion with my students and be honest, and tell them what I have noticed that has not been positive, ask what they have noticed, and we change things and begin a new routine and practice until we begin to get it right.
Stephanie Wray Nov 19, 2023 12:51pm
1. The tone is how you say something and what you say. The expectations is what you allow the students to do.
2. It means that you need to follow through with your expectations, be firm and clear. They need to know you mean what you say, but also you as a teacher needs to be prepared to hold them to that standard.
3. If a positivie tone wasn't set correctly on the first day I can reevaluate, and talk with the students. Tell them that we are going to try again, because that wasn't to the standard I would really like, and have them practice to get it correct.
Rachel Brownlee... Aug 13, 2023 11:45pm
What is the relationship between tone and expectations? The tone is the attitude and atmosphere you establish with your way of addressing the students and your voice. If it does not match what you tell the students your expectations are, then the students will not understand that you are serious.
Mr. Romagnolo says, "Your expectations are what you allow them to do, not what you say." How could you apply this distinction in your own class? I can let the students know from when they first enter my classroom that respectful and safe behavior are the only behaviors accepted.
What could you do if a positive tone wasn't set on the first day? It is hard to go backwards to become more strict, but it is possible to allow for fun in the classroom while still expecting students to respond to the teacher and stay focused and on-task. If a positive tone wasn’t set the first day, it can be developed as the students meet expectations.
Haley Wallace Jul 29, 2023 5:26pm
1. Your tone is the inflection and way your voice sounds when talking and giving instruction. Your tone needs to be firm and show the students that you're in charge. Expectations are what rules and standards you expect from the students.
2. Expectations are an every day thing. They are the rules and standards that the students are to follow, and they don't change. They are established on the first day and need to be reiterated as needed. They need to be modelled, rather than just told.
3. If the tone on the first day isn't correct, we should reset. This includes making sure the students are aware of the expectations, and modelling them again. Have them redo the procedures you expect from them until they get it right. This can continute for each class until the students get them. Only then can you allow some fun. The students need to know that they are to meet the standards and that they are capable of them.